The nimble and flexible Appenzeller sennenhund hails from the Swiss Alps. Although this medium-sized breed resembles the smaller and more compact Bernese mountain dog, which is also a member of the sennenhund family, it has distinct traits. In North America, the Appenzeller sennenhund is a somewhat unusual breed, but it is more popular in Switzerland and Europe.

To comprehend the Appenzeller Sennenhund, it is necessary to first comprehend the breed's name. The name 'Senn' refers to herders in Switzerland, while Appenzell is a Swiss area. So-called sennenhunds are a collection of canine breeds that were popular among Swiss herders. Due to geographical variances, the name sennenhund spawned four distinct breed entities. The Appenzeller sennenhund is a breed of dog that originated in Switzerland's Appenzell area and was once used for herding livestock, defending agricultural property, and pulling carts.

Appenzeller Sennenhund Highlights
Breed Size	Medium
Nature	Gentle, Friendly, Playful, Outgoing, Willful
Energy Level	Active
Intelligence	High
Barking Level	When Necessary
Coat Length	Long, Medium
Breed Group	Working
Droll Amount	Low
Good with	Familes, Children, Dog
Feed Level	Medium, High
Colour Type	thick, shiny topcoat in black or brown with tan and white markings
Other Facts	White markings on the face, chest, legs, feet and tail.

Dog History

The Appenzeller sennenhund's origins are unknown, however one hypothesis claims that they are derived from the ancient Molossus breed introduced to the region by the Romans. Sennenhunds' huge bone structure and innate herding mentality may have sprung from these giant mastiff-type dogs, which were used to guard cattle. As previously mentioned, regional use and breeding of the Sennenhund resulted in four unique breed varieties, including the tiny yet tough Appenzeller.

Despite the fact that the Appenzeller's origins are unknown, the breed was well-established in the Alps by the 1800s. The first recorded description of the breed dates from 1853, and defines it as "a clearly barking, short haired, medium size, multicolor cattle dog of a pretty even "Spitz type," which may be found in particular places and is employed partly to defend the farm, partially to herd cattle." So it's apparent that they were industrious creatures from the start, equally capable of guarding and herding chores.

Max Siber, a forester from the Appenzeller region, realised the need for a breeding programme and standard to conserve these unique sennenhunds in the late 1800s. Mr. Siber introduced the breed to its first international dog show in 1898, and the Appenzeller Sennenhund Club was created in 1906, along with an official stud book. When compared to the Bernese Mountain Dog, despite being a versatile working breed and a much-loved family companion, the breed has taken longer to attain international recognition.

The United Kennel Club (UKC) recognised the Appenzeller as a breed in 1993. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has granted it Foundation Stock Service (FSS), which indicates the organisation is supporting the breed's development efforts but it is not yet a recognised breed with the AKC.

Health and Care

Are you ready to take on the responsibility of caring for an Appenzeller sennenhund? These dogs may be wonderful friends and tireless outdoor companions, but they demand a lot of mental stimulation and exercise.

The Appenzeller was bred for herding cattle and defending property in the Swiss Alps throughout the day and night. As a result, these dogs are happiest when they have a task to complete and are able to spend a lot of time outside. Train these energetic dogs for sports like agility, weight pulling, obedience competitions, and more to harness their brains and energy.

They're a great choice for herding chores and guard dog patrol if you have cattle or a large piece of property. You should be aware that the breed's protective instinct causes them to bark at every imagined threat, whether justified or not. They can be prone to barking to the point of becoming a nuisance, so make sure to put an end to excessive barking over little issues right away.

Strangers might make the Appenzeller suspicious due to their instinctive need to protect their territory. This breed is wary of strangers and requires early socialisation as well as a thorough introduction when you have visitors.

Owners of Appenzellers, on the other hand, find them to be extremely affectionate and dedicated companions, especially with children and other pets. Just make sure that solid leadership is clearly established to prevent this intelligent canine from believing it has risen to the top.

Dog Breed Care Tips and Important Instructions

Exercise is essential for the Appenzeller's happiness and health. As previously said, these athletic creatures are well-suited to a variety of canine activities, but they also make wonderful hiking and trekking companions. They're surefooted, with an athletic frame and the energy to scramble up trails or plough through snow.

Your dog will enjoy a daily walk or run, as well as playing fetch or with a frisbee in the yard. The Appenzeller will happily lay at your feet or join you on the couch for a little rest and relaxation if properly exercised and sufficiently challenged.

You'll also need to groom the short coat on a regular basis because it sheds a lot. Brushing with a slicker on a weekly basis will prevent stray hairs from becoming a major issue. Shedding becomes increasingly more obvious when the seasons change, so be prepared to increase your grooming regimen to keep the hair from flying.

Feeding

It's essential to examine the anatomy and digestive system of the Appenzeller Sennenhunde while choosing on the finest Appenzeller Sennenhunde diet. Dogs' digestive systems haven't changed much since they were undomesticated wolves, and they're best adapted to eating fresh, high-protein prey. This is what we term "species-appropriate nutrition," and it's what a natural, raw diet aims to achieve.

The stomach of a dog isn't built to digest and ferment carbs (the main ingredient in kibble). Even grain-free food, such as beans, peas, and lentils, sometimes contain high quantities of starchy carbohydrates. Feeding this to a dog puts their system under strain, generating physiologically demanding insulin, glucagon, and cortisol surges throughout the day, as well as inflammation and stress on important organs, which can lead to death in certain situations.

There's no question that the canine species is tough, and that even if they consume a diet lacking in natural components, they will adapt and survive for a long time. Nonetheless, there is a significant difference between surviving and flourishing.

Whether you pick Prodog Raw's no-fuss, no-nonsense raw dog food or make your own DIY raw food recipes at home, the switch to a natural species-specific diet will fuel your dog's well-being, regardless of breed.

Fun Facts

• The Appenzeller Sennenhund can grow to be 18.5 to 23 inches tall and weigh 48 to 55 pounds.
• The Appenzeller Sennenhund has a thick, lustrous coat with tan and white markings on the face, chest, legs, feet, and tail, and is black or brown in colour. The undercoat can be grey, brown, or black in hue.
• The almond-shaped eyes, little triangular ears that droop down the cheeks, flat, wide cranium, and compact, muscular physique of the Appenzeller Sennenhund.
• The name "Appenzeller Sennenhund" relates to the Appenzell region (an alpine area in northeastern Switzerland) and the Senn people, who were dairy producers in the Swiss Alps when the breed was developed.
• The Appenzeller Sennenhund is a self-assured, dependable, joyful, and clever dog that is easy to teach. It has a lot of vigour and a strong work ethic. The Appenzeller Sennenhund is designed to perform a variety of chores during the day and to defend the home at night.
• Strangers make the Appenzeller Sennenhund wary. It barks loudly to alert others to the presence of strangers on "its" area. It can become unduly suspicious if not properly socialised.
• The Appenzeller Sennenhund is great with kids, but because of its strong herding instincts, it may treat them like a "herd" that needs to be ordered and led in a specific direction.
• Every day, the Appenzeller Sennenhund requires a lot of activities and "working chores." When it is not occupied in numerous activities, it readily gets restless and disruptive.
• The Appenzeller Sennenhund is not ideal for sedentary owners, apartment life, or metropolitan environments. This breed thrives in rural regions when it is given several responsibilities. It can easily pull garden carts and carry out other "essential" domestic activities.
• The Appenzeller Sennenhund excels in sports and contests that require dogs to demonstrate herding abilities, agility, and obedience.
• Today, the Appenzeller Sennenhund is utilised as a rescue dog in the Swiss Alps.
• Although the Appenzeller Sennenhund sheds a lot,

Home Training Tips and General Information

• Love is all a dog requires.
• One of the most prevalent dog claims I hear as a canine behavioural consultant is that all a dog requires is love. Is that correct or incorrect? You might be surprised by my response!
• There are four things you must do correctly.
• It doesn't have to be difficult to train your Appenzeller Sennenhund puppy. You can influence your puppy's behaviour and make training easier right now by doing four simple things.
• What Should You Teach? (and When)
• Dog training begins the minute your puppy arrives at your home. If you utilise the incorrect training approach, your puppy will begin to make decisions about how he wants you to fit into his life, which will lead to conflict and behavioural issues. You must respond appropriately to anything your puppy does, or he will learn the incorrect things. Here is my suggested training schedule (what to teach and when to teach it) for your Appenzeller puppy.
• Teach Your Appenzeller Mountain Dog To Respect You I utilise and propose "Respect Training" as a dog training approach for Appenzeller Mountain Dogs. When you say "No," a dog who respects you will stop what he's doing and do what you say. Teaching your dog to respect you entails engaging in certain interactions with him that promote respect.
• Solving Behavioural Issues
• "How can I stop my dog from doing (a specific harmful behaviour)?" is one of the most often asked queries by dog owners. Whatever the infraction, my response is usually always the same.
• You're in need of dog training assistance, but where do you turn? Do you want to take private lessons? Classes that are open to the public? Do you have any dog training books? Do you have any dog training videos?
• So your puppy, or your adult dog, needs training, and you're seeking for some assistance. Is it necessary to employ a personal trainer to come to your home? Do you want to send your dog away to be trained? enrol in a group obedience course? Have you ever read a book? Would you want to view a few videos? Here's my recommendation on where to go for dog training assistance when you truly need it.
• Teach The Correct Words In The Correct Context
• My Appenzeller training approach comprises teaching certain phrases in precise ways so that your dog not only learns the words but also develops the respectful attitude that motivates him to obey you.

FAQS

Appenzeller Sennenhund Unique Name

Male Name	Female Name
Brownie	Autumn
Cody	Bonnie
Dante	Brandy
Diesel	Brooklyn
Felix	Brownie
Frankie	Duchess
Gizmo	Ella
v	Ellie
Hoss	Goldie
Jake	Jada
Lucky	Jenna
Miles	Juliet
Odie	Nellie
Remy	Reese
Rockwell	Sunny
Storm	Blanche
Taco	Cisco
Tripp	Keesha
Ace	Ladybug
Tinky	Tess